HISTORY
How it all began
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Timeline of the bands I have played in over the years
1985
D'VETTE
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Dan Lion - Vocals
Dini Dimitri - Bass
J.D. Wagner - Drums
At 19 years old Billy began playing on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA. A friend suggested he change his last name "Lewis" because at the time Huey Lewis & the News were very popular and thought he needed something more rock n roll sounding. "D'VETTE" was born and Billy started his first band and they liked the last name so much decided to call the band "D'Vette". They opened for Poison, Great White at the peak of the early 80s Heavy Metal scene on the Sunset Strip.
The band recorded a demo 4 song Demo produced by legendary bass player Tim Bogart from the Vanilla Fudge & Jeff Beck
1985 - 1986
PANDEMONIUM
Chris Resch - Vocals
David Resch - Guitar
Eric Resch - Bass
Dave Holland - Drums
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Pandemonium best known for being featured on the first Metal Massacre record along with bands Metallica, Ratt & Black n Blue. Billy joined the band in Nov 1985 and played the Roxy opening for KIX "Midnite Dynamite" tour. The band featured 3 brothers from Alaska. Billy first met the Resch brothers at 17 while in High School. He started to roadie for David Resch as his guitar tech, setting up shows in the San fernando Valley and Hollywood from 1982 to 1984. David got Billy a job at Tower Records after high school. David was a huge influence on Billy's early development as a musician and spawned his love for rare 70s hard rock.
1986
CIRCUS
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Paul Lancia - Vocals
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Dino Dimitri - Bass
Robbie Sheere - Drums
Circus “Not Just Another Bunch of Clowns” quickly jumped on the recent Poison success in 1985 on the Sunset Strip.
Billy & Dino joined forces with Paul Lancia & Robbie Sheere. This band quickly started drawing large crowds at the Country Club, Troubadour & Whisky A Go Go. Dino & Robbie played in a band called Avante Gaurd in High School together. Circus recorded a three-song demo at the famous Sound City Studios in Panorama City. During a late night mixing session the band was involved in confrontation at gunpoint. The Demo was never completed and this led to the break up of the band.
1986
SPECIAL EFX
Featuring Paul Sabu
Paul Sabu -Guitars
Alexa Anastasia - Vocals
Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis- Keyboards
Charles Esposito -Drums
Billy D'Vette- Guitar
Produced by Bill Willens & Paul Sabu
Special EFX was a band that featured female vocalist Alexa Anastasia and was produced by Paul Sabu Emmy-Winning Singer, Song-Writer & Guitarist. The band recorded a 2 song demo that also featured Teddy Zig Zag Andreadis on keyboards who went onto play with Guns n Roses. The demo was shopped to all the major record labels but did not generate enough buzz to move forward.
1987
AGENT X
Billy joined AGENT X after answering a add in Music Connection the bands lead singer was Danny Simon (Jailhouse, Autograph) the band was produced by Rock legend Kim Fowley of Kiss & the Runaways. The band created a large following and were often played on KROQs Rodney on the Rock show. The band breaks up Sep 1987 and brings in Rough Cutt members Amir Derahk, Matt Thorr, Dave Alfrord and forms the band "Jailhouse".
Danny Simon - Vocals
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Eric Jarvis - Keyboards
Mark Vernon - Drums
Dave Coleman - Bass
Demon Doll Records releases AGENT X album "Rock n Roll Angels" in 2011.
1987 - 1990
PAIR-A-DICE
Oct 1997 Billy pairs up with old band mate Paul Lancia (Vocals) to join Pair-A-Dice with current member Nick Masella (Bass) and Daz Bash (drums) shortly after Dave Marshall (Guitar) leaves Mickey Knight and joined the band. This was the line up that went onto great success on the Sunset Strip with a huge following and sold out shows. The buzz on the street was that Pairadice were the next band to get signed after Warrant inked a deal with Columbia Records. The band toured Japan with Jet Boy in 1989. Shortly after the return from Japan Paul quits to start a solo project with Bart Walsh & Scott Paterson. Billy then took on lead vocal duties and the band continued as a 4 piece. Dave was asked to join Brunette and the band parts ways.
Paul Lancia - Vocals
Dave Marshall - Guitar
Billy D'Vette- Guitar
Nick Masela- Bass
Daz Bash - Drums
WEBSITE
1990 - 1991
LOVE CHILD
After the break up of Pair A Dice Billy creates "Love Child" with Dave Lefko on guitar. Billy takes over as the bands lead singer and primary songwriter. Together they write the song "Love Thing" that is later featured on Billy's solo CD "Night Music". The band started with Bret Bradshaw on drums but he was asked to join Faster Pussycat and they brought in Eddie Cross who had just got off the 89 tour with Autograph. Former Pair-A-Dice drummer Daz Bash also joins the band. They change the name to "Deaf Dumb & Blonde" after Billy leaves to join Monroe.
Members
Billy D'Vette - Vocals & Guitar
Dave Leftko - Lead Guitar
Daz Bash - Drums
Past Members
Brett Bradshaw - Drums (Faster Pussycat)
Eddie Cross - Drums (Autograpgh / Hott Wheelz)
1991
MONROE
Rick Monroe - Vocals
Robbie Crane - Bass
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Steve Gainer- Guitars
Keith Slack - Drums
Monroe featured lead singer Rick Monroe along with Bass player Robbie Crane best known for his work with Ratt, Vince Neil, and Lych Mob. This was a powerhouse band that also featured Keith Slack on drums (Michael Schenker Group, Steelhouse Lane) with Rick, Keith and Billy's strong vocal ability this band really could have gone places but that was not to happen because Billy was asked to replace Marc Ferrai (Keel) and join MCA recording artist "Cold Sweat"
1991
COLD SWEAT aka Sweatin Bullets
Billy D'Vette joined Cold Sweat in 1991 after the band parted ways with Marc Ferrari (Keel) the band was dropped by MCA records and the band changed the name to Sweatin Bullets. The band was managed by Ronnie James Dio's wife Wendy Dio. The band shopped around for another record deal but with rise of the Seattle grudge sound the band called it quiets.
Roy Cathy - Vocals (The Fifth)
Erik Gamans- Guitar (Wasted)
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Chris McLernon - Bass (Saigon Kick)
Anthony White - Drums
2008
PAIR-A-DICE - Reuniun
Pair-A-Dice reunites after 20 years to play at Rocklahoma with Skid Row, Ratt, Queensryche, Tesla and many others. Retropspect Records released the bands never heard demos that same year. They also played at FM Station in North Hollywood with Jones street before going to Rocklahoma.This was the last time the 5 members of Pairadice were to play together.
Demon Doll Records releases "Midnight Train" in 2014 that also featured bonus tracks with Billy singing that the band recorded after Paul left.
2010
Night Music - Solo Album
Billy releases his first solo album entitled "Night Music" written, produced and recorded by Billy. Many of his past band members appear as guest on the CD as well.
Billy D’Vette: Vocals, Guitars & Bass
Daz Bash: Drums
Dave Lefko: Guitars “Love Thing”
Erik Gamans: Guitar Solo “Outlaw”
Guido Lemeer: Guitar Solo “Night Music”
Tom Thorsen: Keyboads “Freedom”
Bill Owen: Guitar Solo “Freedom”
2015 -2019
DOUBLE BILLS
Billy starts an Acoustic Rock Duo with High School friend Bill Owen. The two of them start to play the local Denver, CO bar scene with much success. Voted to the Denver A-List as one of Denver's Top 10 live bands in 2018. The band releases a EP called "American Dream" in 2018 and also plays at Sturgis in South Dakota that same year.
The band ended when Bill Owen moved to Idaho.
2019 - PRESENT
WILD BILL OUTLAWS
The Wild Bill Outlaws is a high energy acoustic & Electric rock band that plays all your favorite Classic Rock & Blues songs along with some of today’s hits. They are a mix of Acoustic guitar and electric with percussion and harmonica. You do not want to miss this act!
2020
BACK TO DENVER - Solo Album
Billy Releases his 2nd solo album entitled "Back to Denver" The album takes the listener on a musical journey filled with tasty guitar licks, melodic vocals & heartfelt lyrics.
The album is a mix of classic rock, acoustic singer songwriter & alt- country.
It was completed during the Covid 19 Lock Down in March of 2020 and the Album was released later that year!
2021
RISE UP - Solo Album
Rise Up is released Sept 1 2021 and is a compilation of songs that were recorded in 2012 & 2013. Billy recorded all the songs in his basement and performed all the instruments. It also includes an acoustic cover of the Dokken song "Alone Again"
2022
In July 2022, a new tribute band called Neon Knights was formed to honor the music of Ronnie James Dio.
The band takes its name from the classic Black Sabbath song "Neon Knights" and features members Steve Clark, Billy D'Vette, Rich Carlson and Dave Cross on bass. Both Rich Carlson and Billy D'Vette were also managed by Ronnie's Wife Wendy Dio. Rich was in Badd Boyz a band that included Paul Shortino, Sean McNabb & Mitch Perry.
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Steve Clark - Vocals
Billy D'Vette - Guitar
Rich Clarlson - Drums
Dave Cross - Bass
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2022
September 2022 Billy joins Kingpin Posse a country and rock band hailing from Denver, Colorado. The band plays a unique blend of Americana Country and Classic Rock hits.The band is composed of Chris Mercer and Stevey Watkins from Denver local favorite band the Hillbilly Demons.
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Chris Mercer - Vocals & Guitar
Billy D'Vette - Guitar & Vocals
Stevey Watkins - Drums & Vocals
Bruce Heir - Bass
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